Charley Diesing
New member
And a top view to show what the MH/T5 combo will be shining down on
My JBJ 28gal Nano Build Thread
- Thread starter ange062
- Start date
ange062
New member
Dang, I just realized that my links werent working for desktop. Here is a recap:
Thanks Cali! PM me a link to the new setup when you get it going, look forward to seeing it!
Well leaving a MOSTLY empty 3-yr old tank sitting without being fully broken down for 5-days is a terrible idea. The biopellet reactor was especially horrible but the skimmer wasn't too far behind. Do yourselves the favor and clean everything day of the take down!!!
I had to resort to gas mask and hydroflouric acid proof gloves from a lab at work. It was literally THAT bad (especially the biopellet reactor which had turned green).
In good news, as quickly as the Germany move came up it has again disappeared so the new tank will be getting wet this weekend. Playing around with scapes now with hopes to finalize on Saturday including epoxy then fill tank on Sunday.
More to come!
Hey Marty, never moved into the old place again but settled for a while now!
Been toying with rockscapes still and randomly had the idea of trying a spiral staircase. Looked pretty cool until I realized the back "step" would be hard to see and extremely hard to find a good SPS coral to fill the the spot. Decided to reverse the two lower steps and pretty happy swith the result. Still more tinkering to come before I glue the scape down...
Scape is glued and the tank is ready to fill!! Will start making water tomorrow, but will take 2-3 days to make enough to fill the tank.
Thoughts on the scape?
And a top view to show what the MH/T5 combo will be shining down on
Thanks Cali! PM me a link to the new setup when you get it going, look forward to seeing it!
ange062
New member
Eeeeettttsss alllliiiivvvvee!!! Well, not quite yet but the RL30 is officially filled with salt water and cycling.
Few things I've learned in my years of reefing:
1) glue your rock!
2) don't focus on what your scape looks like at the start, envision what it will look like and how it will function 2-3yrs from now when it's jammed with corals (have to consider light, flow, coral types, plenty of distance from glass for cleaning, etc)
3) wash your sand
4) pour slow over your final glued scape when filling
This pic is about 5mins after I finished filling and 30sec after turning on the pump. Almost perfectly clear.
Still TONS of work to do though! I have to order a light, fix or replace my chiller, get my skimmer and reactors cleaned and setup (though they won't be turned on until the cycle is complete), setup the ATO, setup the dosing pump, setup shelving in the cabinet and cleanly mount things and route wires, install a GFCI, and also order another MP10 and get both of them sync'd and working. Going to be a busy and expensive few weeks!
Few things I've learned in my years of reefing:
1) glue your rock!
2) don't focus on what your scape looks like at the start, envision what it will look like and how it will function 2-3yrs from now when it's jammed with corals (have to consider light, flow, coral types, plenty of distance from glass for cleaning, etc)
3) wash your sand
4) pour slow over your final glued scape when filling
This pic is about 5mins after I finished filling and 30sec after turning on the pump. Almost perfectly clear.
Still TONS of work to do though! I have to order a light, fix or replace my chiller, get my skimmer and reactors cleaned and setup (though they won't be turned on until the cycle is complete), setup the ATO, setup the dosing pump, setup shelving in the cabinet and cleanly mount things and route wires, install a GFCI, and also order another MP10 and get both of them sync'd and working. Going to be a busy and expensive few weeks!
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martinphillip03
New member
Ange, Why did you switch to a new light? You were doing so well with the Radion. Plus you need to update the bottom info.
Marty
Marty
ange062
New member
It's something with the photobucket app and how it does links now, it didn't used to be like that. And thanks!!
As much as I liked the Radion over the years, I have had a couple minor issues. The shimmer from LED is far from the best, plus I feel like they are a little too directional which leads to dead SPS bases. Going to give MH/T5 combo a try and see what happens. I'll still have the Radion sitting around so can always switch.
And I'll update my sig, thanks!
bobbravo2
Reef Addict
I may add a second Radion to increase the spread for this reason. I think the puck design is too concentrated. It'd be better if the light were spread out more, giving more coverage and fewer dead spots leading to dead SPS bases.
ange062
New member
In my opinion, I think the puck design is better than a spread out array because it helps to prevent color banding and disco ball shimmer. Raise the fixture for better coverage, there is plenty of power there for a small tank.
No matter what, LED doesn't have the spread and fill of T5. And the smooth and natural shimmer from an MH is the closest you get to natural sunlight if you have ever been diving.
No real caveats or complaints from LED, mostly just looking to trying something new to keep it interesting.
ange062
New member
Bob, I had actually thought about doing something similar myself but never got around to it. I'm sure it'll help with coverage, at least from a front-viewing perspective.
Well the tank has just been sitting there since 5/30, literally haven't done anything but add water when it gets low. I have been adding some leftover Reef Nutrition stuff that is probably way expired anyway. Been putting some phyto, oyster eggs, and arctipods everyday along with some Seamchem Stability to help the cycle along. Also thrown in a couple cubes of frozen mysis shrimp.
Decided to do my first water tests today, and the cycle either hasn't happened at all (do to lack of bioload) or is finished.
The pH is a little low since I don't have a light or skimmer on the tank yet. NO3 is hard to measure with the cheap API test kit, but it's definitely above 0 and below 5, so somewhere in that range.
Thinking I may add my first inhabitant this weekend, an ORA Orchid Dottyback. Then again, I should probably get around to getting a light on the tank, setting the skimmer up, getting the reactors going, etc... Hrmmm. Guess we will just have to see what time allows!
Well the tank has just been sitting there since 5/30, literally haven't done anything but add water when it gets low. I have been adding some leftover Reef Nutrition stuff that is probably way expired anyway. Been putting some phyto, oyster eggs, and arctipods everyday along with some Seamchem Stability to help the cycle along. Also thrown in a couple cubes of frozen mysis shrimp.
Decided to do my first water tests today, and the cycle either hasn't happened at all (do to lack of bioload) or is finished.
- Sg = 1.026
- pH = 8.0
- NH3 = 0
- NO2 = 0
- NO3 = ~5
The pH is a little low since I don't have a light or skimmer on the tank yet. NO3 is hard to measure with the cheap API test kit, but it's definitely above 0 and below 5, so somewhere in that range.
Thinking I may add my first inhabitant this weekend, an ORA Orchid Dottyback. Then again, I should probably get around to getting a light on the tank, setting the skimmer up, getting the reactors going, etc... Hrmmm. Guess we will just have to see what time allows!
martinphillip03
New member
Ange, looks like you are starting to get cranked up again
Marty
Marty
ange062
New member
Trying to!!!
So I went to the LFS today with the intent of getting that orchid dottyback, but alas, he had sold them all!! He did, however, have a few SA Wyoming Whites that had come in and were FLYING out of his tanks. I've never been a fan of platinums, but the wyoming whites definitely caught my attention! I decided to go this route rather then the premium snowflake I had originally planned on. This will give me more variation in the clowns which I like. So I picked a lil guy that I really liked the pattern of, brought him home for a relatively modest price, and started the acclimation process. Man, it's been years since I've added a fish to a tank, I forgot how long and tedious my acclimation process is!!
Sorry for the terrible picture, hard to get a shot without a light on the tank.
I'll bust out the DSLR and get some good pictures once there is more to show in the tank.
I haven't named the little guy yet, but he will be mated with my big 'ole 3 year old SA Fancy Snow named BamBam (yes, like the Flinstones). I named her and her old mate before they were sexed, hence her coming out with a male name. For those that don't remember, below is a picture of BamBam. My friend that was caring for her will return her next week.
Oh, and I also ordered a wireless board for my existing MP10 as well as a 2nd MP10esw, going to be awesome to have them both in sync on opposite sides of the tank!
Prankster11
New member
what was the macro algae you had in there more towards the beginning?
ange062
New member
I have some Seachem stuff on hand and will be monitoring levels closely. Will have to play by ear on whether BamBam can come home next week, just have to see how things go. 1 fish should definitely be fine given the status of the cycle so far based on test results.
It was caulerpa. I found it manageable, most people thought it was a terrible idea. Just takes regular pruning. It's known as highly invasive and has caused many issues in the real ocean, so take care with it if you get some.
Prankster11
New member
Thank you...i thought it looked really good
ange062
New member
no problem!!
So after a naming party tonight (we'll call it that anyway) my new homies name after what was probably too much booze is "Juan Pablo Escobar". Funny how booze induced names with my friends always end up hispanic...
ange062
New member
A 3-hr vinegar bath has my MP10 looking brand new after 3-yrs worth of coralline algae growth that literally had to be 1\16 inch thick, if not worse.
Also got the Tunze ATO setup today. Next step? Hang light! Radion for now, haven't decided what the final solution is in that department.
Also got the Tunze ATO setup today. Next step? Hang light! Radion for now, haven't decided what the final solution is in that department.
bobbravo2
Reef Addict
quote for pixA 3-hr vinegar bath has my MP10 looking brand new after 3-yrs worth of coralline algae growth that literally had to be 1\16 inch thick, if not worse.
Also got the Tunze ATO setup today. Next step? Hang light! Radion for now, haven't decided what the final solution is in that department.
Looks good 'n clean!
